Jack Kayil’s decision to stay overseas next season would sting a lot less for the Knicks if Tyler Nickel follows through on his plan to jump into the pro game right away.
New York’s other second-round pick is expected to begin his NBA career in 2026-27, according to Ian Begley of SNY. That matters because there had been real concern the Knicks could lose both draft picks for the season, with Nickel still holding NCAA eligibility despite being selected.
Begley reported on August 7, 2026, that while Kayil is staying overseas next season, “Tyler Nickel, NYK’s other 2nd round pick, is all in on starting his pro career, per league sources familiar with the dynamic”
That doesn’t erase the frustration of missing out on Kayil’s development inside the organization. But it does give the Knicks a chance to bring in a player who could help right away in an area they need it most.
Nickel, 22, is a 6-foot-8 wing who built his college reputation on shooting. From his sophomore season through his senior year, he averaged 2.5 made threes per game and hit 40.1 percent from deep. He showed he could do it with volume, too, and did it across two tough leagues in the ACC and the SEC.
That kind of floor spacing is exactly what New York can use. If Nickel brings that same touch to the Knicks, Mike Brown would have more flexibility when OG Anunoby, Mikal Bridges, or Josh Hart need to come off the floor.
Even if Nickel needs time before he becomes a real NBA contributor, getting him into the system is still a win. The Knicks have been sharp in free agency and on the trade market under Leon Rose, but they haven’t consistently turned draft picks into supplemental pieces.
Having Nickel in the G League or around the main roster would at least give New York a chance to start changing that trend. And if he develops the way the Knicks hope, he could become part of the next wave of talent keeping their championship window open.
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Tyler Kolek sits closer to the center of that conversation than he did a few days ago. Mike Brown has already shown a willingness to trust Kolek in meaningful moments even with the defensive concerns that come with his game, and that kind of faith can matter in a competition where opportunities are never handed out freely. For all the help this opens up on the guard side, it also leaves New York with another decision looming as it weighs how best to balance the backcourt against bigger needs elsewhere. [Read more 🡒]